The “grand passion” for wine led the Busch family to found Trinitas Cellars in 2002. The Estate Cave represents two historic “firsts” in Napa Valley hospitality: the first wine tasting center at a resort property and the first such tasting center in an underground facility. In July 2006, their hotel, The Meritage Resort & Spa, opened to cater to wine enthusiasts, business travelers and special events. With the world’s only spa in a wine cave, the region’s only private wedding chapel, and the most expansive meeting space in the Napa Valley, the Meritage Resort brings together the perfect blend of services and facilities. Better still, the wines are fantastic! Join us Saturday and meet Michael Kwasny from the winery.

SPECIAL EVENT Wednesday, the 28th: Montes of Chile national sales manager, Ginevra Altomara, will be pouring some of the great wines her company exports to the US. Tasting will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

2010 TRINITAS CELLARS CHARDONNAY, CARNEROSList price 25.00; our price 21.95The Trinitas “Butterscotch Bomb” is a perfect marriage of high-quality fruit and American wood barrels. The toast on the barrels is prominent, giving a “crème Brule” character to the nose. Underneath the toast, you get the intense tropical fruit; pear, peach, lemon zest and citrus. The rich mid-palate explodes with cinnamon toast, cream and butterscotch, which are the result of the length of time spent in the Oak Barrels. It’s got so much presence it works well as an apéritif or it can be matched with rich foods such as veal cutlets, an Italian risotto, or chicken breasts in a cream sauce.

2008 TRINITAS CELLARS MYSTERIUM, CALIFORNIAList price 22.00; our price 17.99Each year the Mysterium Blend is truly a “Mystery” until the actual bottling. This vintage is a blend of 39% Carignane, 27% Zinfandel, 21% Old Vine Mourvedre, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Old Vine Petite Sirah, and 1% Black Malvoise. Winemaker Kevin Mills has chosen old-vine vineyards from Mendocino and Contra Costa County to make the blend. The fruit of these old vineyards create deep, rich flavors of berries and spice in the wine.

2007 TRINITAS CELLARS ZINFANDEL, EL DORADO COUNTYList price 20.00; our price 17.99This Zinfandel came from an old vineyard in the Sierra Foothills with vines between 75 and 85 years old, yielding about 2 tons of fruit per acre. This classic Zinfandel will coat your mouth with rustic flavors of raspberry and black pepper. The wonderful rich, spicy but fruity finish will leave you asking for more.

2007 TRINITAS CELLARS ZINFANDEL, MENDOCINO COUNTYList price 22.00; our price 19.99The two vineyards that make up this blend are JMR and Conrado Vineyards. Winemaker Kevin Mills says he likes the grapes from this region because of the ripeness that comes from the long growing season: “The Indian summers never seem to fail me,” he says. He continues: “the grapes from the Conrado Vineyard are “all strawberry preserves, while the JMR vineyard shows more dark fruit, blackberry, plum and a touch of classic Zinfandel briar notes. I think the wine is delicious.” I have to agree. The wine’s juicy strawberry and blackberry fruit with an inkling of lavender and dark chocolate will work with barbecue sauces, especially those with a bit of sweetness. The fruit is kept fresh and lively with acidity, and the wine finishes with smooth, ripe tannins that make the wine a pleasure to drink.

2009 TRINITAS CELLARS PETITE SIRAH, CONTRA COSTA COUNTYList price 22.00; our price 19.99The grapes for this wine come from the Gonsalves Vineyard in Oakley. Deep sandy soils with root-systems that stretch almost 60 feet deep make this area extremely unique for growing Petite Sirah. This vineyard is well over 100 years old and has survived both phylloxera and prohibition. The wine displays aromatics of espresso covered chocolates, blue fruit, and toast. The tannin structure, weight, and balance remind us of what Petite Sirah is all about. On the palate you’ll enjoy ripe, jammy fruit flavors, spice, with wonderful red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant flavors. The intensity and persistence of the flavors are supported by the firmly tannic structure. Enjoy with short ribs in a heavy wine reduction sauce or with truffle risotto.

2010 TRINITAS CELLARS MOSCATO, CALIFORNIAList price 14.95; our price 11.99​The 2010 Moscato has aromatics of stone fruit, peach blossoms and pear. On the palate there is a smooth texture with just a touch of spritz. It has bright acidity with flavors that will remind you of sweet summer peaches. It is crisp and clean with a finish that dances across the palate.